Orthokeratology

Throw away your glasses

Ask us about OrthokeratologyPezzimenti Nixon Optometrist has the exciting new technique of Orthokeratology for our both Short sighted (Myopic) and also Long-sighted (Hyperopic) patients. It is especially exciting to us that if you are over 40 and now need reading glasses we can even correct for that. It is an ideal alternative for patients considering laser surgery.

Orthokeratology (Ortho-K) is a non-surgical method of correction; patients simply wear specially designed contact lenses overnight and remove the lenses each morning. This results in 20/20 vision for daytime business, leisure and sporting activities without wearing contact lenses or spectacles.

Research has proven Ortho-K to be safe and reliable, has the added benefits of being non-surgical, reversible and cost effective.

What is it?

Orthokeratology is the use of rigid gas-permeable contact lenses contact normally worn only at night, to improve vision through the reshaping of the cornea. This method can be used as an alternative to spectacles or refractive laser surgery. It is also suitable for those who are intolerant to contact lenses due to discomfort from working in air-conditioned or dusty environments, from extended computer usage which reduces blink rates and tear film production or from displacement or loss during sports activities.

There is also increasing evidence that Orthokeratology may slow the progression of myopia in the growing child.

What does it involve?

Orthokeratology involves wearing a contact lens overnight and during the day you will have clear vision without wearing any contact lens or spectacles. This is done using specially designed hard contact lenses using a reverse curve design.

A common misconception is that the lens “presses” on the cornea, thus flattening the eye. In fact, the forces generated by the reverse curve cause the redistribution of the epithelial cells, and not pressure on the eye. Properly designed lenses do not touch the user’s cornea.

Does it work and is it safe?

There are always risks in wearing contact lenses overnight but you will be guided through the care of your eyes throughout the fitting and aftercare of you, your eyes and your lenses. Our optometrists will advise you of all these issues and will not proceed unless you are suitable.

Disclaimer: Optometrists do not directly treat learning difficulties. Optometrists treat the visual and visual perceptual problems that impair learning. Visual and Visual perceptual problems may contribute to learning difficulties making it difficult for the learning disabled child or adult to respond to educational intervention. Most Vision and visual perceptual problems are developmental and develop over time and with experience, therefore they are trainable. Vision training (also called vision therapy) aims to improve those vision and visual perceptual skills that affect learning. Vision training does not take the place of teaching. Education intervention is still necessary.